Veronica Hardwick allegedly stabbed brother Richard Reshard in chest with a paring knife
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Poughkeepsie woman was arraigned today on murder charges for the alleged stabbing death of her brother during Thanksgiving Day dinner.
Veronica Hardwick, 51, was arraigned before Judge Tammy Robbins on indictment charges of murder in the second degree (an A-I felony), manslaughter in the first degree (a B violent felony) and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a D violent felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty, was remanded, and is due back in court on March 2, 2022. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces a potential maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
“Thanksgiving dinner became the tragic backdrop for extreme family violence when this defendant allegedly stabbed her brother in the chest during an argument, killing him,” said DA Donnelly. “The victim, Richard Reshard, died two weeks later from his injuries. Our thoughts are with his family as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”
District Attorney Donnelly said that, according to the indictment, on November 25, 2021, the defendant visited her mother and brother’s home on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead for Thanksgiving. That evening, the defendant, while engaging in an argument with her brother, allegedly picked up a large knife and threatened him with it. The defendant then continued to argue with her brother, when she allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest with a paring knife at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The wound punctured an artery of the heart of victim Richard Reshard.
The victim was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where he passed away from the injuries two weeks later, on December 7, 2021.
The defendant was arrested on December 1, 2021, by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau. The defendant is represented by Richard Langone, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
###